title: Mechanical ventilation and pharmacologic strategies for acute respiratory distress syndrome.
abstract: Acute or adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) contributes to mortality and morbidity in the intensive care environment. Appropriate application of microprocessor-controlled mechanical ventilatory support, pathophysiology of the disease, and new pharmacologic modalities are currently being investigated. Mechanical ventilation is usually begun when respiratory failure is caused by alveolar hypoventilation or hypoxia. Primary choices for this therapy are control-mode ventilation, assist-control ventilation, pressure-control ventilation, intermittent mandatory ventilation, and synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation with the addition of positive end-expiratory pressure. Patients who deteriorate despite these interventions may require alternative modes of ventilation. Pharmacologic agents in ARDS is important due to the multifactorial pathophysiologic and pharmacodynamic processes that are part of the disease. Clinical studies will continue to determine advantageous agents. Unfortunately, no convincing data exist that any pharmacologic or nonpharmacologic strategy is superior for the support of these patients or results in a better outcome than others.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice/Pharmacy Administration, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, Pennsylvania 19104-4495, USA.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Cawley
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Skaar
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Hanson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000628:therapy*; D019141:Respiratory System Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D019141:Respiratory System Agents; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide